Dear Mom,

Most people who go to a college far away from home are excited to get away from their parents and the life they previously knew. I, on the other hand, went to a school where I knew I would be closer to you. Instead of six hours away, I'd be four hours away and I had never been so excited. I couldn't wait to be able to see you more often. Throughout my life, you've been so supportive of everything I do and I can't thank you enough.

Thank you for supporting my decisions in college. I forgot to tell you that I was participating in sorority rush, but, when I called to tell you that I had received a bid from my top choice sorority, you were thrilled for me. You told me that you were so happy I was doing something I so desperately wanted to do and you have been excited for me ever since.

Thank you for believing in me. Whenever I'm stressed out about anything whether it be finals, or just generally feeling homesick, all I have to do is call and I'll hang up the phone feeling a million times better about whatever I was worried about. You can always make me feel better, not matter what the situation is.

Thank you for all you do for me and my siblings. The four of us can be incredibly difficult at times and you've always been able to handle it. Whether it's fighting between the four of us, or when we banded together to go on "strike" (true story), you've always been able to handle it. You've always been able to balance our schedules and our different interests, both of which are not very easy to do.

Thank you for introducing me to musical theater. Anyone who knows me knows I love LOVE musical theater and part of that is thanks to you. You took me to see "Wicked" when I was just ten years old and you get excited about "Hamilton" with me now. I cannot thank you enough for that.

Thank you for always accepting me, no matter what. I know that I can tell you anything and you'll still love me. This means so much to me. Knowing you'll support me no matter what is one of the most important things I can think of.

Thank you for always supporting my activities. When you came all the way down to Minnesota just to watch me dance for about 6 minutes total, it meant the world. I couldn't wait to show you everything that I had been working on and seeing you sitting in the front row of the bleachers is an image I will never forget.

But most of all, thank you for being the best mom I could have asked for. I can't wait to see you again soon (about two days but who's counting??). I love you.

Love,

Your forever grateful daughter